Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILLIPPINES

Tamag, Vigan City

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

GRADUATE STUDIES

PED 201 – FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION

DANIEL GABRIEL C. PRADES DR. LLYOD A. MATA

MAEd Student Professor

 Confucianism is based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BCE), who
emphasized the importance of personal and governmental morality, proper social relationships, and the
cultivation of knowledge and virtue.
Confucius believed that the key to a harmonious society was the practice of the "Five Relationships":
ruler and subject, father and son, older brother and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and
friend. These relationships were based on reciprocal duties and obligations, and Confucius believed that
if they were properly observed, society would be orderly and peaceful.
In addition to the Five Relationships, Confucius emphasized the importance of self-cultivation and
education. He believed that individuals could improve themselves and society through study and
practice, and he placed great emphasis on the study of the classics and the importance of personal
morality.
Confucianism has had a profound influence on Chinese culture and society, and its principles have been
applied in fields ranging from politics to education to personal relationships. Confucianism has also
spread to other parts of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where it has played an
important role in shaping the culture and values of those societies.
 Five Relationships emphasized in Confucianism:
Relationship Description

Rulers have a responsibility to lead and care for their subjects, while subjects have a duty to
obey and respect their rulers. Good governance is seen as a key element of a stable and
Ruler and Subject prosperous society.

Fathers have a responsibility to provide for and guide their sons, while sons have a duty to
respect and obey their fathers. Strong family relationships are the foundation of a well-
Father and Son ordered society.

Older brothers have a responsibility to guide and support their younger brothers, while
younger brothers have a duty to respect and obey their older brothers. This relationship
Older Brother and emphasizes the importance of family and the obligations that come with one's position in the
Younger Brother family hierarchy.

Husbands have a responsibility to protect and provide for their wives, while wives have a
duty to support and obey their husbands. This relationship is essential for the well-being of
Husband and Wife both the family and society as a whole.

Friends have a duty to support and be loyal to one another. Friendships are essential for
personal and moral development, and they can be a source of strength and support in
Friend and Friend difficult times.

 The Main Points Confucius' Emphasis on Self-Cultivation and Education in Confucianism:

Key Ideas Description

Self-Cultivation A lifelong process of moral and intellectual development

Virtues Traits such as compassion, kindness, respect, honesty, and diligence

Practice Cultivating virtues through study, reflection, and practice

Key Ideas Description

Education A means of achieving personal growth and self-improvement

Classics The study of the classics as a means of gaining wisdom and knowledge

Good Governance Leaders' responsibility to be knowledgeable and virtuous

A well-educated and morally upright ruling class as essential for a just and harmonious
Social Order society

Influence Confucian values and principles deeply embedded in East Asian society

Education Model Confucian education as a model for education systems worldwide

 Potential Inbasket issues related to Confucius' emphasis on Education in Confucianism:
Incorporating Confucian values into education: You have been hired to consult on a new education
program that seeks to incorporate Confucian values into the curriculum. What are some practical ways
that you could integrate Confucian principles into the program, and what benefits do you believe this
approach would have for students?
Possible Answer: Incorporating Confucian values into education can be a powerful way to promote
character education, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning among students. Here are a few practical ways
that Confucian principles could be integrated into an educational program:
a. Emphasizing character education: One of the central tenets of Confucianism is the cultivation of
virtuous character. An educational program that seeks to incorporate Confucian values could place a
strong emphasis on character education, with a focus on developing virtues such as compassion, respect,
honesty, and diligence.
b. Integrating the classics: Confucianism places a high value on the study of classical texts, which are seen
as a source of wisdom and guidance for moral and intellectual development. An educational program
could incorporate these texts into the curriculum, with a focus on helping students understand their
relevance to contemporary issues and challenges.
c. Promoting critical thinking and ethical reasoning: Confucianism places a high value on critical thinking
and ethical reasoning, and an educational program could seek to develop these skills in students through
a variety of activities and exercises. For example, students could be encouraged to analyze moral
dilemmas and explore different perspectives on ethical issues.
d. Encouraging service and social responsibility: Confucianism places a high value on service to others and
social responsibility. An educational program could encourage students to engage in service projects and
community outreach activities, with a focus on developing a sense of social responsibility and civic
engagement.
e. Fostering mentorship and relationships: Confucianism places a high value on mentorship and
relationships, and an educational program could seek to foster these values through small-group
discussions, mentorship programs, and other opportunities for students to connect with each other and
with teachers and mentors.
By incorporating these and other Confucian values into an educational program, students can develop a
deeper understanding of themselves, their communities, and their responsibilities as ethical and responsible
citizens.
References:
Confucius. (2003). The Analects. Penguin Classics.
Gardner, D. K. (2014). Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Nylan, M. (Ed.). (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Confucius. Cambridge University Press.
Tu, W. (1996). The Confucian traditions in East Asian modernity: Moral education and economic culture in
Japan and the four mini-dragons. Harvard University Press.
Shun, K. (1994). Confucian ethics: A comparative study of self, autonomy, and community. Cambridge
University Press.